Game apparatus



June 4, 1935. J. A. KIMBALL 2,003,370

r GAME APPARATUS Filed Jan. 5, 1955 l7 sheets-sheet l A D... A JTM? W hwumuwv @9 M, \A\\\/N .S mw mm. m w A v lll V M v l m M \\I A A Nm %A wwwA, 4 e@ Q Vw f Y @Y Aww AAAS@ ma m -MM- @W f Aw NN KM @Y N w A \.1 \@v.1. A.' KIMBALL `lune 4, 1935.

GAME APPARATUS FiledJan. 5, 1933 '7 Sheets-Sheet 2 J. A. KIMBALL GAMEAPPARATUS June 4, 1935.

Filed Jan. 5, 1935 7 Sheets-Sheet 3 J. A. KIMBALL GAME APPARATUS June 4,1935.

Filed Jan. 5, 1935 '7 Sheets-Sheet 4 v June 4, 1935.

4 J. A. KIMBALL GAME APPARATUS Filed" Jan. 5, 1935 7 Sheets-Sheet 5 RNWJ. A. KIMBALL GAME APPARATUS June 4, 1935.

7 Sheets-Sheet 6 Filed Jan. 5, 1933 J. A. KIMBALL June 4, 1935,

GAME APPARATUS Filed Jan. 5, 19:55

7 Sheets-Sheet 7 Patented June 4, 1935 yUNITED STATES eArENT OFFICE GAMEAPPARATUS John A. Kimball, Taylorville, Ill. Application January 5,1933, Serial No, 650,277

Claims.

This invention relates to games and game apparatus of the kind employinga marble play board, eld, way or course and marbles for rollingthereover, there being provided a series of holes or pockets for themarbles to roll-into and upon the relative values of which the scoringdepends.

The prime object of the present invention is to provide a game apparatusof this kind, wherein the course f of the marbles is not left entirelyto chance but may be governed verylargely by the skill of the players.

Another object is to provide in a game apparatus of this nature a formof marble play board or eld made up' of a plurality of flat shifterstrips or slats assembled edge-wise, side by side, each being adaptedfor independent lateral or sidewise tilting for throwing the rollingmarbles laterally from one slat to another in the course of the play, asmay be required by the rules oi the game for scoring purposes.

Another object is to provide in a marble game apparatus of the kindreferred to a marble play board or field comprising a plurality of flatshifter strips or slats assembled edgewise, side by side, each slathaving a number of hazards or marble traps arranged in spaced relationand each slat being free to tilt lateraly for rolling the marbles fromone slat to another for avoiding the various hazards of the variousslats, whereby the marbles may be iinally brought Vto certain positionsor pockets upon the board for scoring purposes.

Another object is to provide in a marble game apparatus of the kindreferred to, a marble play board or play iield normally inclined towardsthe player, whereby the marbles will normally roll from the opposite endof the board or iield down towards the player and into scoring pocketsor positions, the said marble board or field. compris- Yslats arrangededge-wise, side by side, each being adapted to independently tiltside-wise for the purpose of throwing the marbles laterally from slat toanother for avoiding hazards, or traps, with means for reconveying themarbles to the far end of the board after they are played d own, meansior aligning them up again at the far end for new plays, and means forstarting the marbles down over the board or field from their line-up. l

Another object is to provide in a game apparatus of the kind referredto, a marble play board or way normally inclined towards the player, thesame comprising a plurality of independent Vshift-- er slats arranged'edgewise, side by side, in a common plane, each being adapted to freely'tilt laterally for throwing the; marbles from slat to Slat and also toslide lengthwise as means for starting the marbles from their line-up atthe far or rear end of the board. l,

Another object is to provide in a game appara- 5 tus of the kindreferred to, a marble play board or field or way, made up of a number ofindependent shifter slats arrangededgewise inl a common plane andadapted both for'lateral tilting movement and longitudinal slidingmovement, the said slats being each provided with a number of spacedmarble traps or hazards from end to end, the slats being separated bystationary and longitudinally spaced fence strips or sectionsimmediately adjacent the hazards, whereby marble ports are providedbetween therends of thefence strips at points intermediate the hazards,through which marbles may roll from oneslat to another as the slats aretilted in the course' of play, the said board beingjnormally'inclinedtowards the 20 player, a distributor head at the opposite or rear end ofthe board for receiving and lining up the marbles for play, there beinga-transversely eX- tended line-up recess between and formed by theforward margin of the distributor head and the aligned rear ends of thesaid slats, means for reconveying the marbles from the forward endof theapparatus, after they are-played down over the board, back tothedistributor head forreplaying again, and means for lining them upagain in the said line-up recess preliminary to playing them. i

Another object is to provide in a game apparatus of `the kindreferredto, the combination of a stationary supporting framea tiltingbox or frame pivotally mounted therein and adapted normally to tilt downat its front or forward end to a position somewhat inclined belowtherear end, a similarly inclined marble play board or field supportedwithin the tilting frame and comprising a plurality of shifter slatsprovided with spaced hazards or marble traps, 'the slats being adaptedeach independently to tilt laterally or move longitudinally forcontrolling thevcourse of marbles thereupon-the slats being separatedbyfence strips spaced longitudinally along between them, thereby providingmarble ports through which the marbles may run laterally from slat toslat, a distributor head at the rear end ofthe tilting frame andmarble-board for receiving and l lining up the marbles for play, amarble run-way fixedly mounted in the tilting frame and normallyinclined downwardly similarly to the marble board, but adapted whenreversely tilted with the tilting frame, to convey any marbles thereupon545 back to the said distributor head for replaying, means for conveyingthe marbles to the runway as and after they are played down over themarble board, a coin controlled marble stop mechanism arranged tocontrol the rolling of marbles through the run-way towards thedistributor head when the frame and run-way are tilted up at the frontendfor that purpose, the operation (and cyclic) of said mechanism andthe consequent ow of the marbles depending upon the insertion of a coinand the subsequent tilting up and then back down again, of the tiltingframe.

Another object is to provide in a game appa-- ratus of the kind referredto, a tiltable marble play board, a marble run-way into which themarbles may run from the boardafter theyare played thereover, a coincontrolled marble stop mechanism for controlling the flow of marblesthrough the run-way, the operation and successive resetting ofthe saidmechanism depending `both upon the insertion of a coin and thesubsequentV tilting upv and lback again of the said marble board.

With the foregoing and such additional objects and advantages in View asmay be developed in the course of the following specification, attentionisY now directed to the accompanying drawlngsasexemplifying certainpractical embodiments of the invention, and kwhich constitute a part vofthis specication, and wherein Figure 1 is a plan view of one preferredform `of thegame apparatus which constitutes the subject matter of thepresent invention. Figure2 is a section on the line 2-2 of Figure l.

Figure 3 is a section on the line 3 3 of Figure l.

Figure 4 is an enlarged section on the line 4-4 Vof Figure 2,

Figure 5' is an enlarged, fragmental and sectional detail showing linend View an assembly comprising one'of the tiltable shifter slats,lateral fence strips and supporting elements therefor.V

Figure 6`is a view looking forwardly at the rear end of thetiltingfframe 'constituting an improved part: of the embodiment nowbeing described, the outer end plate or board of the tilting frame beingremoved to show the parts'including the marble elevator.v Y Figure '.7is an inside view or elevation of the side board ofthe tilting frame, anend View thereofappearing at the left in Figure 6, the said boardcarrying the operating rod controlling the marble elevator and otherelements, a medial part of the said board and ,rod being shown as brokenout.

Figurev 8 is a detail of onel of the latches for re Vleasably securingthe inner tilting frame to the outer supporting stand or frame, a pairof these latches bei-ng pivoted rupon the side boards or plates of thetilting frame in transverse alignment, and adapted to engage a cross rodof the outer frame, the crossrod being shown insectionand, a medialfragment only of one of the sideboards being shown.

Figure 9 is an enlarged detail of the locking mechanism for locking theinner tilting frame to the outer supporting frame, to preventunauthorized access to the money box mounted at the underside of thetilting frame.

Figure l is a section on the line Ure 9'. v Y

Figure 1l is-a sectionY on the line I l--l l of Figure 9^. y

Figure 1-2 is -anv enlarged detail in plan of the contact bracket forthe rear end of the operating rod, the same being shown pivotallyattached to thev under edgeof the endplate or board of the Iii-i6 ofFigouter frame, a fragment of the latter being shown.

Figures 13 and 14 are details in enlarged plan view of the outer end ofthe pocket shutter or slide, as slidably mounted through the front endof the tilting frame or box immediately below the marble scoring pockets(not shown in these views), showing the coin stop-lever operatingtrigger pivoted thereto. In Figure 13, this trigger is shown in itsposition as automatically assumed as the front end of the tilting frameis eleif'atedas shown in Figure 3. In Figure le, the trigger is shown inthe position it assumes as the iront end of the tilting frame is againlowered to the position shown in Figure 2.

Figure l5 is a side elevation upon a greatly enlarged scale of a sectionof the inner side board or plate at the right hand side of the tiltingframe showing in detail the marble run-way, the forward end of themarble stop lever, the coin chute, and the spring-set coin stop levers.

Figure i6 is a detail in side elevation of a lower Yfragment of the coinbox as supported in place under the til-ting frame by means of a turnlatch engaging cross pieces en the frame.

Figure l? is a plan View ci a Amodiied and simpli'led structure or formof game apparatus, wherein the supporting frame is dispensed with, theapparatus being set upon any ordinary table vandtilted at the forward`end as desired for running the marbles back for realignment at the rearend. The separate marble run-Way is dispensed with and vforms -ofhazards are provided upon the shifter slats which permit the returningef the marbles back over the marble board itself. The coin controlledmechanism is also dispensed with.

Figure 1S is asection on' the line |8-l8 in Figure 17.

Figures 19 and 20A are enlarged detail views of two forms of hazardsusable upon the forms of marble boa-rd shown in Figures 'l' and 18, forpermitting the direct return of the marbles over the boards, therebydispensing with return chutes.

Figure 2l is a longitudinal vertical section e5 through yet another formof apparatus, showing two reversely inclined marble decks or boards, theupper boardY constituting the marble play board proper and the lewercenstituting the return board for reconveying the marbles to the 50 rearend of the structure for replaying.

Figure 22 is a section on the line ZZ-22 of Figure 2l.

Figure 23 is a planview of the forward portion of the form of apparatusrepresented in 5.3 Figures 2l and 22, the rearward portion of the uppermarble play board being further broken away to show the underlyingstructures.

Figure 2e is a longitudinal, vertical section through the final form ofthe apparatus as herein shown and described, the same being in fact moreparticularly a variation from the form or embodiment of Figures 2l, 22and 23.

Figure 25 is a section on the line 25-25 of Fig-ure 24. v

As exemplified in Figures l to i6 inclusive, the invention comprises astationary, elongated, rectangular supporting frame I mounted upon legs2 and including side plates or beards 5, a front and plate 4 and a rearend plate 5. A pivot rod tended transversely through this frame a littlerearwardly of the center, and has its chcred in the side plates 3. Amoney box nous ig 'l is likewise extended transversely of the frameforwardly of the rod 6, its ends being also secured 75 to the sideplates, this housing being left open at its upper' side. An operatingrod or lever contact bracket 8 is pivoted at 9 to the under side of therear end plate 5, and a stop plate I8 is extended across the forward endof the frame at theunder side thereof, having its ends securedt'o theside plates. A tilt regulator block i! is pivotedat l2 medially at theupper side of the plate i8, the same being larger at one end than theother, as

shown.

A stop hanger |3 is hinged at i4 to the inner face of the right handplate 3, near the rear end thereof within a recess `|5 formed therein,and extending down ends in an inwardly turned stop foot |E which may be`thus swung inwardly or outwardly upon the hinge I4. Forwardly of thehanger S3, a lock bracket |1 is secured at it to the plate 3 and has aninwardly turned foot I9 pierced with a hole 28. A at lock bar 2| isslidably extended within a longitudinal recess 22 formed in the innerface of the right hand plate 3 between the hanger recess l5 with whichit communicates, and the lock bracket i1 which overlies the forward endof the recess 22, the bar 2| passing back of the bracket I1 and endingin an inturned foot 23 adapted to coact with the apertured foot i9 ofthe bracket l1 for engaging the looped bolt 240i a padlock 25. The bar2| islong enough that its rear end 25 may slide back of the lower partof the hanger I3 when the latter is vswung outwardly from its recess i5,thus locking the foot i5 to its out-thrust position for a purpose whichwill be later pointed out. Obviously, too, when the padlock is removed,the bar 2| may be slid forwardly and the foot I3 may then be swung back.An elongated, rectangular tilting box or frame 21 is tiltabiy mountedwithin the frame The frame El comprises a left side plate 28, a rear endplate 23, front end plate 38, and two spaced apart, right side plates 3|and 32, which may be referred to as inner and outer side plates. Theterms right and left as herein used, have reference to the operatorstanding at the front end of the apparatus indicated by the end plates 4and 3|)H and looking rearwardly towards the plates 5. and 29. The endplates are preferably' made long enough to cover the ends of the sideplates 28,' 3 '32, leavnig the working space 33 between the plates 3|and 32j The inner frame 21 isv notched or slotted intransversealignment, 'as shown at 34,`at points `upon thelower edges ofthe side plates thereof somewhat rearwardly of the center'and so as Vtosubstantially register with the pivot rod 6 Aof the frame The frame 21is thuspivotally mounted 'within the frame by positioning the notches orslots 34 over the rod 5. In this position'the forward end of the frame21 will normally tilt down upon the block i, and the degree of such tiltmay 'be regulated somewhat by reversing the block frame 2l may be lockedto the rod 6 by means of hooked latches pivoted at 38 to the outer facesof the side plates 28 and32 and adapted to close over the. notches 34,as clearlyshown in Figure 8. By passing screws 31 through the ends ofthe latches into the plates, the two frames may be securely lockedtogether. Six major cross braces or supports 38, 39, 40, 4|, 42,43, areextended is spaced substantially rearwardly towards the rear end of theframe, as shown in Figure 2. The remaining supports 42, 43, are locatedin spaced relation atthe rearend of the frame, the support 42 being alsospaced from the support 4|, as shown. A number of minor cross supports45 may also be provided if desired. A marble play board or field isarranged at the upper sides or edges of the cross supports including thesupports 38 and 4 i the same comprising a plurality of stationary,longitudinally extended and transversely and regularly spaced bearingstrips or slides 45 for the shifter slats to slide upon in manner laterto be described. Thin fence strips 4 1 Vof sheet metal or the like areset upright in longitudinal alignment along the median lines of theseveral slides 46 and these fence strips are also spaced apartlongitudinally,

so as to provide marble ports 48 between ltheirV ends. As shown inFigure 5, the strips or slides 45 may be each made up of two halves 46a,4513, holding the rence strips 41 pinned between them. A plurality ofthin, flat shifter slats 49 are mounted for longitudinal slidingmovement between the several sets of longitudinally aligned fence strips41, the slats being of a length to extend from the end support 38 to theforward edge of the rearwardly spaced support 4| and being reinforced attheir undersides by the addedcenter strips .53,1 as shown in Figures 2,4 rand 5. A plurality of iff marble trap holes or hazards 5| areVv,formed through the slats 49 and strips 58, the same being arranged inspaced relation from Yend to endof the slats, and being preferably sodisposed as to fall oppositely to the fence strips '41 and not oppoe isitely to the ports 48, as clearly shown in Figure ,1, so as to enablemarbles to be shifted from one shifter slat to'another, through thefence or marble ports 48, without falling through the holes 5|.

The vforward ends of the slats 49 carry upstanding t voperating pins 52,as shown in Figures l and 2. IA 'cover plate 53 is mounted over the`forwardends Yof the slats 49, the same having spaced recesses 54 alongthe forward margin to accommodate the pins 52 in the manipulation or theslats 49 and e.

their longitudinal sliding and lateral tilting action, the plate 53clearing the ends of the slats suiliciently to allow for such action.The slats 49 are resiliently held to their seats Aand to their for-Awardmostpositions, b-y means of coil springs |24 connecting'the ends of*the slats with adjacent cross parts of the frame 21, the forwardsprings being angularly positioned as shown in Figure 2 for normallydrawing the slats forwardly. Immevdiately back or" the plate 53, aseries of transversely aligned lscoring holes or pockets 55 are formedthroughthe slats 49, and immediately across the under side'of theseholes is slidably mounteda scoring hole shutter 5G, the same slidingthrough the upper part ci' the marble-way 44, as shown in Figures 2, 3,13 and 14. This shutter is also pierced with marble holes 5l adapted toregister with the scoring'holes 55 when the'shutter is movedoutwardly tothe position shown inFigure 13`y but closing over those holes when theshutter is moved inwardly, as shown in Figure 14. A distributor head 58is rigidly mounted at the .rear end ofthe frame 21, the same beingextended rearwardly from and somewhat above the upper edge ofl the crossbrace 42 and being anchored at its ends to the side plates 28, 3 l, asshown in Figures 1, 2 and 6. This head is arranged substantially in thesame plane with the upper marble play board, and the raised forwardmargin 52 forms inV conjunction with the aligned rear ends of theshifter slats 49,

which as stated normally extend only to the for-y ward upper corner ofthe brace 42, a transversely extended marble aligning recess 63, whichis inclosed at its rear side by the frame end plate 29, into whichmarbles may roll from the head 58 and become automatically aligned forplaying. An elevator recess 68 is formed medially in the rear end of thehead 58 for the reception of the block 64 of the marble elevator 56, aswill later be described in detail. The head 58 is provided with a set offlaring fence strips 41a radially extending from the elevator 59 to andconnecting with the main fence strips 41 which are extended rearwardlyacross the recess 63. Corner blocks |2| are mounted on the rear cornersof the head 58, a curved or inturned marble run-way 6B being cut in theright hand block and leading out into the elevator recess 68, the curvedrun-way 6|l'being a continuation of the main marble run-way 6| later tobe described. The marble elevator 59 comprises a relatively short block64 having the laterally extended arms 65' and forwardly 'extended frame6G which has a free bearing at. its forward end upon a ledge 61projected from the rear faceof the cross brace 42. The block 54 isadapted to play up and down. freely within the clearance 68 provided forit at the rear end of the distributor head 5,8 and in its loweredposition, as shown in Figure 6, is in alignment with and forms acontinuation of the inturned end 60 of the marble run-way 6|, theadjacent end of the block 64 being held slightly raised by means of'aprop 69 arranged upon the cross brace 43, wherebythe marbles willreadily run into place upon the lowered block. This elevator israisedand lowered by means of a cam 10 pivoted at 1| to the rear face ofthe brace 43-below the elevator, a spring 1 la having an end secured tothe cam arm 12 and the opposite end of the spring being connected withthe rear, inturned loop 13 of the operating lever 14. After forming theloop 13, the inturned end of the lever 14 is extended angularlydownward, as shown at 15, and passes slidably under the contact bracket8 already referred to, whereby the spring 1 a is normally drawn taut ortensioned when the forward end of the tilting frame 21 is lowered, thusturning the cam 10 up against the elevator 58 and raising same to thelevel of the distributor head 58, as shown in Figure 2, and allowing anymarbles 16 to run off onto the head. The relation between the size ordiameter of the marbles used and Vthe spaces 11 separating the convergedends 41h of the fence strips 41a, and the length of the elevator block54, is such that the block will just carry the entire number of marblesused with the apparatus, that is to say, a number equalling the numberof shifter slats 49, and so that as the elevator is raised in mannerdescribed, the ends 41h of the strips 41a will exactly separate themarbles as they roll olf of the block 64, thus directing a. marble downover each of the shifter slats 49 between the fence strips 41. The mainportion of the operating lever or rod 14 extends along within a groove18 formed longitudinally in the inner face of the outer side plate 32 ofthe frame 21, being rotatablylocked therein by screw plates 19. Theforward end of this lever is turned upwardly as shown at and disposedwithin a recess 8|, a continuation and lateral enlargement of the groove18, at a point laterally adjacent the outer extremity 82 of the shutter56, which extremity is adapted to pass in and out of the recess 8|, asbest shown in Figures 13 and 14.

A pin B3 is extended from the forward margin of this outer extremity ofthe shutter 55, athwart the upturned end 88 of the lever 14. Thus theinward movement of the lever end 89 caused by the rotation of the mainlever rod 14 serves to force the shutter 56 inwardly. A co-in stopmechanism operating trigger 84 is pivotally pinned, as shown at 85, tothe upper side of the extremity 62 of the shutter 56, the inner end ortoe 86 of the trigger having a sliding bearing upon the outer face ofthe inner side plate 3| rearwardly of the pivot point and immediately infront of the forward end of the upper coin stop operating lever 81a. Aspring 88 is coiled around the pin 85 and has its ends braced oranchored to the trigger and said extremity respectively, the springbeing set and tensioned to normally project the shutter 56 outwardly tothe position shown in Figure i3 and with the holes 51 of the shutter inregistry with the scoring holes or pockets 55 and so that such of themarbles 16 as may run into those pockets, will then fall down throughthe holes of the shutter and into the marble-way 44 beneath. The trigger84 is formed with an angle 82 medially of its length and upon the sideadjacent the side plate 3|, which coming in contact with the plate asthe shutter 56 is pressed inward serves as a fulcrum against the plate,causing the toe 86 to snap out and over the end of the lever 81a as theframe 21 is lowered at its forward end, this action resulting from Vtheshutter 56 being simultaneously pressed inward by the lever end 8i), asclearly shown in Figure 14, the said lever being spring set to normallyslide forwardly, in manner later to be described.

Interiorly of the frame 21 and below the marble play board or fieldalready described, is mounted s a marble return board 90 which coversall the space between the side plates 28 and 3| and between the crossbraces 39 and 4|, being secured in place by nails 9| through its marginsor in any conventional manner. clined downwardly both towards the frontend of the frame 21 and the right hand side thereof or towards that sidecarrying the operating lever 14, the braces 39 and 40 being taperedendwise for this purpose, as shown in Figure 2, so

that theframe 21 in its normal or playing position, with its front endlowered as in Figure 2, marbles falling down through the trap holes 5|or through the pockets 55 and shutter holes 51, will roll out throughthe marble exit 92 provided for that purpose through the inner sideplate 3| at theloWer most point of the board 99, and onto the marblerun-way 5| already referred to. This run-way comprises strips 6 la, 6|17 angularly secured to the router face of the inner side plate 3|, bynails 93 or the like, in such relation as to form a marble pocket 94 attheir abutting ends, the strip 6| b being directed upwardly andrearwardly, as shown in Figures 3 and 15, and leading to the inturnedportion of the run-way 6D already referred to. The outer side plate 32constitutes the outer wall of the run-way 6|, which leads rearwardly asstated and communicates with the inturned portion 60 leading onto themarble elevator 59. A coin chute 95 is fastened as shown This board 90is inat 90 to theouter face of the inner plate 3|, and leads down into acoin box 91, which isremovably inserted within spaced cross pieces 98mounted upon the under side of the marble board 90, being removablylocked therein by means of a latch 99 rotatably pinned at |00 to theunder side of the box, the ends of the latch when turned out beingadapted to engage a slot I0|` cut in one of the pieces 98 and a hook |52mounted upon the other piece s3. The upper, side of the box is left openfor the removal of coins, such as represented at |03. Access is had tothe under side of the frame 21 for the `removal of the coin box, byremoving the padlock 25, and drawing the end of the bar 2| from behindVthe hanger I3, allowing that hanger to swing back into its recess. Theframe 21 may ,then be turned upside down upon the rod 6, thus bringingthe coin box uppermost. The front and rear margins of the coin chute arecut away, forming aligned openings. |04, |05, at a point immediatelyabove the coin box 91 and above the marble run-way 6I. A train of coinstop levers 31a, 81h, 81e, already referred to, are respectively-slidably, pivotallyk and slidably mounted at |06, |01 and |08 upon theface of the plate 3| forwardly of the chute 95, the levers 81a and B'Icbeing longitudinally extended in overlapping and vertically spacedrelation as shown in Figure l5, and being operatively connected by meansof the pivoted lever 81h having its ends engaging notches |03 cut in theends of the levers. A looped spring I|0 secured at III to the plate 3|and braced at its ends between a screw I I2 and the rear end of theupper lever 81a, normally urges thatv lever 81a forwardly into contactwith the aligned rear end or toe 86 of the trigger 84 in a mannerheretofore pointed out, and of course simultaneously urges the lowerlever 81e rearwardly. The lower lever 81e is horizontally aligned withthe openings |04, |05 of the coin chute and the rear end of this levercarriesa shoe I|3 adapted to close over the adjacent opening |04 as thelever slidesv rearwardly through the action of the spring I|0. A hookedmarble stop lever I I 4 is pivoted at I I5 to the plate 3|, the rearhooked end I I5 thereof slightly overbalancing the opposite straight endI I1 which is disposed within the rear opening |05 of the coin chute.Thus the hooked end IIB normally falls down upon the run-way strip Gibin such manner as to prevent and stop the run of marbles rearwardlythrough the run-way even when theV the frame 21 is tilted for thatpurpose. However, the arrangement is such and the mechanism is so nicelyadjusted, that the weight of a coin |03 inserted into the coin chutethrough the mouth I I8 thereof and falling upon the end I|1 of the stop`lever H4, will suice to depress the end I|1 and raise the hook I i6,releasing the marbles 16 which will then roll rearwardlyagain and outupon the depressed elevator 50 when the front end of the frame 21 israised for that purpose. The act of so raising the front endsimultaneously turns the lever end outwardly into the recess 82, therebypermitting the shutter 50 to move out under the action of the spring-settrigger 84, and permitting any marbles in the pockets 55 to escape intothe run-way, in manner already set forth. During this time the operatingcoin |03 has remained poised upon the lever' end I |1, being held thereby the-shoe I I3, and coincidently the toe 86 of the trigger 84 has beendrawn forwardly and snaps down close to the plate 3| against the forwardend of the lever 81a in readiness to shove that lever rearwardlycoincidently 'with the lowering againof thefront end of` the` frame 21.

Therefore', asthat end is lowered, the lever end 80 again forces theshutter 5S inwardly and simul- V taneously the lever toe 86 pushes thelever 81a rearwardly and the .lever 81o and shoe ||3 are drawnforwardly, thus releasing the coin |03 and allowing it to fall down intothe `coin box. A glass cover H3 is mounted upon the top of thetilting-frame 21 and secured in lplace by marginalstrips |20. f

' In theoperation of this game apparatus as so far shown and described,.the scoring pockets or holes 55 may be valued and numbered as may bedesired orY as indicated in Figure 1. Additionallythe margins of thesepockets ,maybe variously .colored to correspond with the colors of themarbles'used in play and added or increased scores given to the players.who succeed in playing the colored marbles into pockets of thesamecolor. Any such special rules or instructions may be printed upon thelcover plate 53. VThe player rst inserts'a coin |03 in the coin chute 95.I-l'e may then raise the front vend of the tilting frame 21 and runthemarbles rearwardly and out onto the block 00 of the elevator 59 which atthis time is depressed 'for the reasonsr hereinbefore stated. The playerthen lowers the front end of the frame 21, which act raises the elevatorand allows the marbles to run out each through its separate V:fencedrun-way down into the align- The upper edge of the block (i4V vreachesand falls through that hole, .the player by tilting the pin 52 laterallymay'cause the marble to run laterally through the adjacent marble porti8 and onto an adjacent slat 49.V The marble then runs down that slattowards the next trap hole and the player may prevent its fallingthrough same by then tilting the pin of that slat and causing the marbleto run laterally through still another port onto the next adjacent slate9, and so on repeatedly until the marble is either successfully land-edin one of the scoring pockets 55, or falls through one of the trap holes5| before reaching such pocket. Thus the game continues until allthevmarbles are played out from the aligning recess 03. f I' In Figures1'1 to 20 are provided a modied form of game apparatus and modifiedforms of marble pockets and hazards, it being here contemplated that themarbles, after they are played down to the front end of the board, willbe realigned at the rear end for replayng, by merely tilting the boardup at the forward end, allowing theimarbles to run' back rearwardly overthe play board itself. ferent forms of marble traps .or hazards, thantrap holes through which the marbles fall.r The'frame 21a takes theplace of the-frame 21, and is provided at its rear endv with a crossbrace 42a corresponding to' the brace 42, .except it is extended downthrough the underside of the structure tovform a foot |30 serving toraise the rear end of the apparatus for vrunning the marbles forwardlyover the play board. This play board or el-d `'is' constructed andarranged similarly This action necessitates difshifter Aslats 49a.However, Vthe marble traps or hazards as well as the s'oririgpockets,here take the form of marble stops' l or 5 l'b, the former being raisedwedge-shaped stops tapering forwardly and the latter wedge-shapeddepressions tapering rearwardly. In the use f either, 'it will'beseenthat while they will serveto stop the marbles in their forward course;they will not prevent them running rearwardly again. The distributorhead 58a forms with the slat ends an aligning re- 'ess 63a atop thebrace H.' The marble elevator 59a carri-'es a block Gi which plays intothe recess "58a at the rear end 'of the head 58a. This elevator isoperated by means of a handlever '14a which is extended through supports'19a from end to end of the frame, therear'endbeing bent inlward asshown at '15dY and disposed under lthe elevator, the forward 'end 80a ofthe lever being also bent inwardand extended across under the "traine,out through a slot 'irormed throughth'e side of the frame, and endinginthe handle h. Raised 'scoring "pockets Y55a are provided 'at theroijwai-d ends 'of the shifter slats 49a. springs 'ITM holdlthe 'slatsto their seats. The provision 'br-Tence strips dl, marble ports 48a,slide bearings Mir 'separate the fence vstrips 'and the shifter slats,and the latter are manipulated by means 'of tl'xe'p'in's 52a;y as"set'out in the description of 'the fr'st apparatus. It is thought thatthe op eratien 'of this apparatus will be `ully 'understood fromthere'goin'g' description taken in connectionwi'th the description 'ofthe apparatus shown inthe Figures 1 to 16.

l fStill 'another form 'of 'the 'game apparatus is in'Figure's 21, 22,23. in this orrn the 'tenti're 'casing frame `o`r housing 21o remains'stationary 'at all times. A marble play board "or nerd "is employed'which is Agenemuy similar to the described boards 'of theprecedingforms in that vthey 'are 'm'ade up 'of a plurality 'of shifterslats 49o slida'biy mounted upon `slide strips Jtty, whiefthey vare'held by the 'springs "124e, 'The `f'o'r'w'ajrd Aends of these slatsY'carry operating pins 52'cfand 'their rear ends are 'aligned at thel'for- @Ward upper 'corner or the cross brace "42cto formthe."fo`rwaid"inargin of the marble aligning recess 6`3, the -rearmargin "being formed vby the V"distributor head 58e. Similarly spacedfence strips Ille "are arrange'dfbetween the slats 449C, there'being'le'ftthemarble'ports y412e Ibetween the ends "or vtherences'ections. However, in this forman oranyjpart of the trap holesv51o `may be -used as `scoring pockets :and may be lnumbered yand'c'cloredas desired. In Yfurtherance -of such use, the holes 51e arearranged LAin longitudinally "spaced, transversely extended V4rows, asshown in Figure '23, and a slidable shutter 'frame is pro- 'videdand`mounted immediately below the holes j51C. trame comprises a -flatfbar|41) which is Sslidably mounted Vthrough cross-braces 141 and carriesupon its upper lface a `"number of spaced cross fslats i|42 ladapted to'cover the under-sides ef the iholes '51C lwhen the frame Vvis movedback to 3its lfront-most limit, sothat marbles rolling ldown the playzboard and falling into the 'holes Effe"w'ii'lib'eheldthereforl'scoringlpurposes. Howeverffby'rnerely pushing this shutterframe 'rear- "wardl'yjthe holes will'beopenso Ethat-anymarbles 'restingtherein will "fall 4through-and upon the 'Inable 'return board ttc. Ac'oils'pring 1|43nor vina'lly `drafws nthe -f'shutter vframelfo-rx'yardly '5to i-ts Lholeclosing position. `A coinv controlled--mech-- -ia'nl's'm I *including `-an `voperating Alever 2145 fof'conventional structure, is 'mounted through the front end lplate-311eand v7the inner end of this lever is connected, as shown at '146, withthe forward end of the'bar |40. Thus the 'insertion of a coin in themechar'iism |44 enables the player to push back the shutter frame andrelease mar- CII The marble return board 911e is tilted both rear- Ywardly and laterally asshcwn, the forward end being secured to theVcross braces 14| and the rear end connecting with the inner end plateV141, which is providedmediallgT at its 'lower sidewith the elongatedelevator rod 'slot 1.48, and laterally at a point immediately Yabove themeeting line of the board Stcwith the Wedge-shaped marble aperture 149.The outer end plate 29e of this structure-is kspaced from the innerplate M1, and side blocks 150, |51, are vmounted therein at eacn side,thereby forming a medial, vertical elevator lway 15,2 in which isslidably mounted the elevator block |53 'provided at its lower vmarginwith the outstanding recessed stud |54 for engaging the rear end of 'the-elevator operating rod 155, the said stud protruding into the slot |48.The side block 15B is provided with a marble slot 156 aligned with theaperture r|49 at their outer ends. The marble slot |55 is inclinedinwardly and downwardly and leads to the top ofv the elevator block1153. Thus marbles '16 rolling down the board BUC will roll through theIaperture V||9and down the slot 15S onto'the elevator |53, as shown.

A'This elevator israised and lowered by means of the `operati-ng rodl155 which lextends forwardly and is rigidly connected fat a pointsubstantially spaced from-its 'forward end to the pivot rod |51, theendsof which are journaledtransversely in the opposite sides T58, 1'59of the casing. The forward 'end 116!! of the lever is V'extended outthrough a slot V61 in the .side of the housing and ends `in 'the `handlei162. A mere downward pressure lupon 'the handle serves to raise theelevator block |53fand marbles 16 to the -level of the 'distributorboard '58o over which they run and Afall into the .lining up recess '63ethrough the .fence fstrips' JlHc in manner as already pointed out for-thefother forms 'of structure. The marbles :are played'from the :liningvup recess in the same manner 4-a's already described with reference tothe precedingstructures. v`'I'hefcoin box 10 of this structure is-mounted `just inside the front Yend-"of `their-ame.

vThe-embodiment of theapparatus represented in Figures 24 and 25 issubstantially similar to 'that'of Figures 21, 212,123, except forythedevlces 'for "elevating the :marbles or fballs to the ,play board=or field '-after ythey have been played through thescoring holes -51'dand i'all upon 'the vreturnboard d. This fboard is made in two `endsections -hingedly-connected ybfy'a hinge -rod |511, the 'forward lendof the fboard being Axed stationary and the rear endbeing tiltable upand 'downas represented indotted lines in Figure'24, -so Ithattherear-margin 'describes lan farc, the rear end plate 29d being arcuateupon its inner side on a vertical section, las shown at |55, so Aas toaccurately 'andznicely-raccommodate -the oscilla- Idiat'elyibelow themovable rear end of `the `:board 90d, 'an 'elevatorfsupporting strip 1&1vis mounted,

the forward end thereof being turned up and also hinged upon the rod |64and the rear end being extended beneath the elevator recess 68d of themovable rear end of the board 90d. An elevator block 64d is transverselymounted at the rear end of the strip 61 and adapted to freely pass intothe recess 88d. An arcuate leaf spring 68 is pinned at |59 to the underside of the rear end of the board 99d, the extremities of the springbeing turned up and having a sliding bearing upon the strip 61. Theaction of this spring is normally to repel the strip IS7 from the board90d, thereby maintaining the marble recess 58d substantially open forthe inflow of the marbles I5. An angular operating rod l55d, in thenature of a bell crank lever, has one leg pivoted as shown at upon theupper side of a block i1! extended transversely across between the sidesmdd, 5963 of the frame, the perpendicular leg thereof being extendedrearwardly along the under side of the strip |61 and having a freebearing up against the strip as shown at |12. An end of the rod l55d isextended out through a side of the frame and continues in the form of anupright operating handle ending in the knob |73. In the use of this formof the apparatus, the marbles will roll down the board 90d into therecess 68d. A forward pull upon the handle H3 elevates the strip It?Vwhich carries the movable rear end of the board 95d and also the block64d and marbles 'I5 up into the recess 68d of the head 58d. A furtherand relatively strong pull upon the handle then serves to force theblock 56d on up through the recess 63d so that the marbles 'I5 will rollout and down over the distributor head 58d, in manner as heretoforepointed out in respect of the other forms of apparatus. In otherrespects than as above differentiated, this structure is substantiallylike that of Figures 2l, 22, 23. It will be noted however, that byvirtue of the hinged sections of the marble return board SE2d, ashallower frame or box may be used than is the case with the otherarrangement.

While I have herein shown and described certain forms and embodiments ofmy invention, it is understood that I am not limited in structuraldetails to the various forms shown, but that the same may be varied asdesired, within the scope of the appended claims. Also, while theinvention is here referred to as a marble game apparatus, it is apparentthat the same may be used with balls of larger size if desired, byconstructing the apparatus accordingly. In fact, this game apparatus maybe constructed to a size commensurate with bowling alleys and the sameprinciples applied and used therein.

I claim:

1. In a game apparatus employing a spherical play element, supports, anumber of rigid shifter slats arranged side by side thereon and forminga play field, each slat being independently adapted both forlongitudinal sliding movement and lateral tilting movement as means formanipulating the play element positioned thereupon means for trappingthe play element arranged upon the shifter slats, and fence sec-,

tions arranged between the slats, the sections being spaced apart attheir ends to provide ports for the play element to run through.

2. In a game apparatus employing a spherical play element, supports, anumber of rigid shifter slats extended flat-wise side by side thereonand Y for permitting the play element to roll laterally from one slat toanother.

3. In a game apparatus employing a spherical play element, a number ofyrigid shifter slats arranged side by side and forming a play `field forthe element to roll over fence strips between the slats for directingthe course of the play element, automatic means for directing andstationing .the play element at one end of the play field, means fortrapping the play element arranged upon the slats, the slats being eachindependently slidable and tiltable for engaging the play element andmanipulating and directing it to avoid the said trapping means.

4. In a game apparatus employing a number of spherical play elements, anumber of rigid shifter slats assembled freely edgewise and forming aplay field for the element to roll over means for trapping the playelements arranged upon the slats, fence sections `between the slats, thesections being separated at their ends to provide ports for the playelements to run through from slat to slat, and automatic means forlining up the play elements at the rear end of the play field, the saidslats being independently slidable lengthwise for picking up the playelements and being independently tiltable laterally for rolling themthrough the Vsaid ports from slat to slat.

5. In a game apparatus employing a definite number of co-equal,spherical play-elements, an inclined play-field for the elements to rollover by gravity, a distributing field at the upper side of and inclinedtowards the play field, a start- Y ing station transversely arranged atthe upper margin of the distributing field, the starting station beingformed to exactly contain the play elements in a straight linearrangement, fences extended from the starting station out over thedistributing field to the play field, the ends of the fences at thestarting station being each located exactly between two contiguous playelements as in their lined up positions, so as automatically to separatethe play elements as they roll out from the starting station, and meansfor releasably retaining the play elements in the starting station.

JOHN A. KIMBALL.

